Friday, February 24, 2017

#1 in 1958: Gunsmoke


 

By its third season, Gunsmoke had taken its place at the top of the ratings, settling in for the long haul. America had fallen in love with Marshall Dillon and the woman of questionable employment Miss Kitty.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

#1 in 1957: Gunsmoke


 

The country would begin its infatuation with westerns in the mid-1950's. The granddaddy of them all was Gunsmoke, which would begin a staggering twenty year run in 1955. In 1957 it would finally reach the ratings peak of #1.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

#1 in 1956: I Love Lucy- One Last Time


 

For its last season, I Love Lucy would go out on top, regaining the top spot in the ratings after the game show craze had subsided due to the cheating scandal. The show's sequel series- The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour would not prove to be as successful.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

#1 in 1955: The $64,000


 

In 1955 a game show craze swept the country. The top show was Revlon's $64,000 Question, a quiz show that became embroiled in the game show scandal of the 1950's. It was alleged that Revlon tried to influence the show's outcome to provide for a more dramatic competition. The ensuing scandal would result in the end of shows sponsored by single corporations.

Friday, February 17, 2017

Rest In Peace, Warren Frost

Warren Frost, best known for his role as Doc Hayward on the television show Twin Peaks has passed away at age 91.





#1 in 1954: I Love Lucy Too!


 


For the third straight year, I Love Lucy took the top spot in the ratings. This success would allow Desi and Lucy to establish their own television empire- Desilu Productions, which would eventually produce The Untouchables and Star Trek among other shows. Of course, Star Trek, which had been greenlit and supported by Lucy herself would eventually become a multi-billion dollar franchise.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

#1 in 1953: I Love Lucy (Again!)


 

I Love Lucy retained its throne atop the television ratings, helped in part by Lucille Ball's real life pregnancy. Despite not being allowed to use the word 'pregnant', the show was able to turn the situation into television's very first big event.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

#1 in 1952: "I Love Lucy"


 

While America loved Lucy in 1951, it loved her even more in 1952. And thanks to the foresight of Desi Arnaz, we can still see what all the fuss was about even today. Unlike other shows of the time, I Love Lucy was recorded on film instead of being sent over the air live then recorded on an unreliable kinescope. It was more expensive, but Desi knew that it would pay off in the end. And it certainly did.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

#1 in 1951: Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts


 

Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts took the top spot in 1951, besting I Love Lucy, which took the second spot. The show had been #8 the previous year and it would hit its peak this season. The departure of its band leader two seasons later would severely harm the show's ratings and it would never find itself in the top ten again.

Monday, February 13, 2017

#1 in 1950: The Texaco Star Theatre


In 1950, the number one show on television was The Texaco Star Theatre which featured "Mr. Television" himself- Milton Berle.


 

At the time, all of the top shows were variety hours and on NBC. The top non-variety show was The Lone Ranger on ABC. The Texaco Star Theatre would catapult Milton Berle to stardom, making him Uncle Miltie to millions of fans countrywide.